Chinese aftermarket air shocks
#21
I've never been too sure about the whole CATS thing if I'm honest, in the fact that I don't know if or when it's working. But, if I understand it correctly then I shouldn't be able to - as far as I'm aware it is capable of continuously adjusting the stiffness of the dampers using a PWM signal (i.e. not just on and off), and is used mainly during acceleration, braking, and cornering. There is a document floating around about the theory of operation which I'll see if I can find.
So lc3566 when you talk about it being a better car to drive when it sets the shocks to firm, I just don't think that it works that way, unless I'm very much mistaken. You shouldn't be able to detect whether it's firm or soft as it's continuously adjusting and doesn't just switch between two modes. But maybe I'm wrong?
I did read somewhere that with the CATS connector unplugged they should default to firm mode, so maybe a good test is to unplug them and see if it makes any difference. Perhaps I'll give that a try.
I agree that having one side with CATS and one without could be a little strange. I've still not noticed any difference but I'll report back when I've done a few more miles.
Ben
So lc3566 when you talk about it being a better car to drive when it sets the shocks to firm, I just don't think that it works that way, unless I'm very much mistaken. You shouldn't be able to detect whether it's firm or soft as it's continuously adjusting and doesn't just switch between two modes. But maybe I'm wrong?
I did read somewhere that with the CATS connector unplugged they should default to firm mode, so maybe a good test is to unplug them and see if it makes any difference. Perhaps I'll give that a try.
I agree that having one side with CATS and one without could be a little strange. I've still not noticed any difference but I'll report back when I've done a few more miles.
Ben
The following users liked this post:
lc3566 (10-22-2018)
#22
On my car, the difference between the firm and soft setting is very noticeable indeed. I'm speculating that this is because the damper cores of my shocks are excessively worn, the worst one being my front O/S. I notice the change in setting the most on heavy acceleration/braking. Under these conditions the handling is much improved, with far less rebound from the worn dampers. When settling down to normal smooth cruising at a fairly constant speed - I can feel the change to soft, the hanldling deteriorates becoming very bouncy and "squishy". I also notice the suspension firm up on the motorway, usually where there are dips - or when the camber changes suddenly. I can feel each side of the car firm up seperately, according to which way the camber has shifted. (I have an early car with 4 sensors) I had no idea that unplugging the CATS connectors would make the car stay on firm, I'm seriously tempted to try this myself!
I believe there were many changes to the ASM over time, when I replaced mine - I had a hard time finding the right unit for my car, there were many different generations. It would be interesting to know what kind of changes/improvements were made with the later 350 & 358 modules.
I believe there were many changes to the ASM over time, when I replaced mine - I had a hard time finding the right unit for my car, there were many different generations. It would be interesting to know what kind of changes/improvements were made with the later 350 & 358 modules.
#23
Interesting indeed, I've never been able to tell when CATS is adjusting the firmness of the dampers, in fact I've often thought that my car is a little on the firm side all the time and wondering if CATS is even working at all. The reason for this I thought was clear after I read the Etis specification sheet for my car which stated that it had been built with the sport shocks instead of the usual comfort shocks. However after physically checking the air-springs they do have the green dot of the comfort version and not the red Sport version, so this doesn't really make sense.
Your theory about worn dampers sounds plausible, and along that line I was not quite correct when said that I hadn't felt any problems with my old air-spring unit other than the noise - I had forgotten that in fact I had felt a little wobble through the steering wheel which I had put down to a wheel imbalance, however with the new air-spring that is much better, so there must have been a bit of 'slack' in the damping action (I assume something was loose or worn inside and making the boinging type of noise).
Having driven a bit more in the car with the replacement air-spring I still can't feel any difference in softness/firmness from the original one. It would be quite interesting to understand more about how CATS switches from firm to soft mode, and it would be fun to build a little monitoring tool with an arduino to monitor the signals to each shock and display with a set of LEDs to show when the shocks switch from firm to soft mode. It could easily be designed with a manual over-ride to force the system into soft or firm mode. Not sure if I will find the time to make it though!
Ben
Your theory about worn dampers sounds plausible, and along that line I was not quite correct when said that I hadn't felt any problems with my old air-spring unit other than the noise - I had forgotten that in fact I had felt a little wobble through the steering wheel which I had put down to a wheel imbalance, however with the new air-spring that is much better, so there must have been a bit of 'slack' in the damping action (I assume something was loose or worn inside and making the boinging type of noise).
Having driven a bit more in the car with the replacement air-spring I still can't feel any difference in softness/firmness from the original one. It would be quite interesting to understand more about how CATS switches from firm to soft mode, and it would be fun to build a little monitoring tool with an arduino to monitor the signals to each shock and display with a set of LEDs to show when the shocks switch from firm to soft mode. It could easily be designed with a manual over-ride to force the system into soft or firm mode. Not sure if I will find the time to make it though!
Ben
The following users liked this post:
lc3566 (10-23-2018)
#24
#25
#26
Interesting indeed, I've never been able to tell when CATS is adjusting the firmness of the dampers, in fact I've often thought that my car is a little on the firm side all the time and wondering if CATS is even working at all. The reason for this I thought was clear after I read the Etis specification sheet for my car which stated that it had been built with the sport shocks instead of the usual comfort shocks. However after physically checking the air-springs they do have the green dot of the comfort version and not the red Sport version, so this doesn't really make sense.
Your theory about worn dampers sounds plausible, and along that line I was not quite correct when said that I hadn't felt any problems with my old air-spring unit other than the noise - I had forgotten that in fact I had felt a little wobble through the steering wheel which I had put down to a wheel imbalance, however with the new air-spring that is much better, so there must have been a bit of 'slack' in the damping action (I assume something was loose or worn inside and making the boinging type of noise).
Having driven a bit more in the car with the replacement air-spring I still can't feel any difference in softness/firmness from the original one. It would be quite interesting to understand more about how CATS switches from firm to soft mode, and it would be fun to build a little monitoring tool with an arduino to monitor the signals to each shock and display with a set of LEDs to show when the shocks switch from firm to soft mode. It could easily be designed with a manual over-ride to force the system into soft or firm mode. Not sure if I will find the time to make it though!
Ben
Your theory about worn dampers sounds plausible, and along that line I was not quite correct when said that I hadn't felt any problems with my old air-spring unit other than the noise - I had forgotten that in fact I had felt a little wobble through the steering wheel which I had put down to a wheel imbalance, however with the new air-spring that is much better, so there must have been a bit of 'slack' in the damping action (I assume something was loose or worn inside and making the boinging type of noise).
Having driven a bit more in the car with the replacement air-spring I still can't feel any difference in softness/firmness from the original one. It would be quite interesting to understand more about how CATS switches from firm to soft mode, and it would be fun to build a little monitoring tool with an arduino to monitor the signals to each shock and display with a set of LEDs to show when the shocks switch from firm to soft mode. It could easily be designed with a manual over-ride to force the system into soft or firm mode. Not sure if I will find the time to make it though!
Ben
#27
Update:
I may have got lucky - found someone near me who is breaking a couple of X358s. Does anyone know if the air shocks are exactly the same on a 358 as they are on an early 350?
I'm waiting for the breaker to get back to me regarding price & mileage of the donor vehicles, I have my fingers crossed...........!
I may have got lucky - found someone near me who is breaking a couple of X358s. Does anyone know if the air shocks are exactly the same on a 358 as they are on an early 350?
I'm waiting for the breaker to get back to me regarding price & mileage of the donor vehicles, I have my fingers crossed...........!
#28
I'm never going cheap again
To parrot 89 Jacobra, Chinese "bargain" replacement parts are NO BARGAIN! Shipping takes weeks and when they get to their destination, the packaging is in tatters if not the merchandise as well. And don't even dream about instructions. I had an insignificant package arrive so long after placing the order, I was truly surprised at the "gift" I thought I'd received! NEVER AGAIN.
#29
I have had pretty good luck with Chinese made products. Many products sold as "American" originate in China anyway.
However having said that anything that is of significant weight will cost an arm and a leg to ship back for a refund. Anything over a couple of pounds will cost a lot in shipping to China.
However having said that anything that is of significant weight will cost an arm and a leg to ship back for a refund. Anything over a couple of pounds will cost a lot in shipping to China.
#30
How about these?
https://aerosus.com/jaguar/xj-series...uspension.html
Trustpilot looks okay and they appear to offer the German TUV Certification and a two-year warranty?
https://aerosus.com/jaguar/xj-series...uspension.html
Trustpilot looks okay and they appear to offer the German TUV Certification and a two-year warranty?
#31
Okay, perhaps nobody has experience of this particular provider? I was hoping someone would answer 'Should I stay or Should I go' (The Clash)?
Please let me explain my dilemma to you. If I was back in the UK, I would buy a Bilstein OEM shock to keep the ECATS that is so much a part of what the improvements (which include the aluminum construction and the 4.2 litre engine) of this X350 were over (what was an outstanding) X308!
However, I will probably be back in the UK within the next 2-5 years, and when I do return (after living and working for 18 years abroad), I will be leaving this (so far) very expensively OEM restored left-hand drive Jaguar behind me in Dubai....
I will not get my money back on it - They don't do 'Classic' here - 'Classic' means 'Old'!
I had the shock that is leaking replaced just six months ago! Unfortunately, the mechanic here in Dubai has obviously used a cheap and nasty Chinese aftermarket shock (in fairness he only charged me GBP265 including fitting). If this Aerosus (half the price of OEM) shock is Chinese and similar (in quality) to his, then it will not be worth me forking out the USD68 to have it shipped to me and fit it myself - I might as well pay another GBP265 and have my 'mechanic' fit something that will probably fail again six months hence!
However, this Aerosus shock does appear to offer German TUV Certification and a two-year warranty. I have checked and if the unit fails during the next two years, (although from Dubai I would have to pay the USD60-odd cost of shipping it back to them in Germany), they would then ship me a replacement free of any charges?
Anyway, 'Needs Must When The Devil Drives', so I have gone for it and I will keep you posted on the results!
Please let me explain my dilemma to you. If I was back in the UK, I would buy a Bilstein OEM shock to keep the ECATS that is so much a part of what the improvements (which include the aluminum construction and the 4.2 litre engine) of this X350 were over (what was an outstanding) X308!
However, I will probably be back in the UK within the next 2-5 years, and when I do return (after living and working for 18 years abroad), I will be leaving this (so far) very expensively OEM restored left-hand drive Jaguar behind me in Dubai....
I will not get my money back on it - They don't do 'Classic' here - 'Classic' means 'Old'!
I had the shock that is leaking replaced just six months ago! Unfortunately, the mechanic here in Dubai has obviously used a cheap and nasty Chinese aftermarket shock (in fairness he only charged me GBP265 including fitting). If this Aerosus (half the price of OEM) shock is Chinese and similar (in quality) to his, then it will not be worth me forking out the USD68 to have it shipped to me and fit it myself - I might as well pay another GBP265 and have my 'mechanic' fit something that will probably fail again six months hence!
However, this Aerosus shock does appear to offer German TUV Certification and a two-year warranty. I have checked and if the unit fails during the next two years, (although from Dubai I would have to pay the USD60-odd cost of shipping it back to them in Germany), they would then ship me a replacement free of any charges?
Anyway, 'Needs Must When The Devil Drives', so I have gone for it and I will keep you posted on the results!
#33
The time has come to start replacing my air shocks. The air bladders are fine, but sadly the conventional hydraulic damper parts of my shocks (all 4) are absolutely goosed - the worst one being front drivers side, which bounces around like crazy.
At the moment, I can't find any used front shocks for less than £180 GBP each - but have found these brand new aftermarket ones on ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-Air...Fno:rk:32:pf:0
At £215 each, they seem like a bargain (I'm on a budget) My question is, has anybody on here bought & fitted these shocks? How good are they? They're available from several ebay retailers, the brand is usually listed as "Maxpeedingrods". They do have a 2 year guarantee, but that would be worthless if one fails & I have to pay for fitting/removal more than once!
I've researched many options, refurbed shocks as far as I'm aware, only have refurbed air bladders. Used shocks, obviously come with the risk that the damper core could be as badly worn as the ones I already have. New Arnotts are crazy expensive here in the UK, as are new Bilsteins. I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried the chinese aftermarket option - thanks!
At the moment, I can't find any used front shocks for less than £180 GBP each - but have found these brand new aftermarket ones on ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-Air...Fno:rk:32:pf:0
At £215 each, they seem like a bargain (I'm on a budget) My question is, has anybody on here bought & fitted these shocks? How good are they? They're available from several ebay retailers, the brand is usually listed as "Maxpeedingrods". They do have a 2 year guarantee, but that would be worthless if one fails & I have to pay for fitting/removal more than once!
I've researched many options, refurbed shocks as far as I'm aware, only have refurbed air bladders. Used shocks, obviously come with the risk that the damper core could be as badly worn as the ones I already have. New Arnotts are crazy expensive here in the UK, as are new Bilsteins. I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried the chinese aftermarket option - thanks!
#34
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Central Virginia near the Peaks of Otter
Posts: 256
Received 81 Likes
on
52 Posts
Been reading good things about Suncore air suspension products. Don't know if they have UK distribution.
https://suncoreindustries.com/produc...x350-xj-series
https://suncoreindustries.com/produc...x350-xj-series
#36
This morning did a drive for half an hour on the new MAXpeedingrods coilover suspension. Very rough rural roads and it was noticeable that the ride quality was not nearly as good as the air suspension. It was also noticeable that when going over the small rough bridges, the clunking and banging that was annoying with the Billsteins, was not there, just silent. Mission accomplished. On smooth roads there was no difference between coils & air.
The following users liked this post:
doc (07-20-2021)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mmolaik
X-Type ( X400 )
3
09-21-2010 02:44 AM
user 2029223
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
7
08-04-2010 06:28 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)